Kia ora and welcome to the Otautahi Solidarity Network blog. A space for information, links and discussion. Make sure you subscribe and spread the word – the people are on the move! Email us at: otautahisolidaritynetwork @ gmail.com (note – do not include any spaces in email address)

Developments are coming in thick and fast – our friends in the UK secure a massive victory, Aotearoa Independent Media produce a wonderful perspective on the latest beneficiary bashing and we may now be witnessing the next wave of opposition to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Association and Earthquake Commission – it’s all go and we wanted to spend a moment to summarise the latest:

The Solidarity Federation in the UK is a long standing revolutionary union affiliated with the International Workers Association. The organisation practices many of the same tactics and ideas as O.S.N and have secured numerous victories over the years. Check their site and make sure you read the latest issue of Direct Action – a long established paper that has offered a fresh perspective on this mad World of ours.

The Solidarity Federation’s latest victory is against the British Government’s recent austerity measures. Known as “Workfare”, the scheme is essentially forcing beneficiaries to work for free. Workfare is what we would have once described as slavery and it appears to be alive and well on British shores. Sol Fed and their supporters took to the streets and picketed ‘Holland and Barrett’ a large retail chain that was taking full advantage of the scheme. The chain fell to mounting pressure and have now pulled out of the scheme! Check out the full story here: www.solfed.org.uk

“You know I can’t have your ghost chips jobs”. Aotearoa Independent Media have just put out their latest release. Entitled “No jobs, just harassment” the authors have looked at the official numbers and shone light on the dirty games played by Government’s past and present. Beneficiaries have always been a favourite for the right to justify their nastiest policies, Key and Bennett are no different. Their latest scheme is to introduce the Job Seeker Support scheme –

Penalise the poor

There has been a concerted campaign by the right to demonise beneficiaries. Since the days of Ruth Richardson, the environment of Work and Income (formerly Social Welfare) has been very punitive. It is likely to become increasingly so with the introduction of these new benefits. People will be forced into long stand-down periods before they can receive a benefit, attendance at pointless courses, required to report in, and subjected to birth control advice from case managers.

The mass media has contributed significantly to constructing a paradigm in which beneficiaries are depicted as lazy and deceitful. The stereotype of the DPB mum is even more viciously constructed: it is a racist, woman-hating portrait that bears little resemblance to the average DPB recipient’s life. It is in this environment that punishing the poor for being poor becomes widely acceptable.

March Against Asset Sales- Across the country huge protests have been taking place. Video footage from Auckland shows 1000’s taking to the streets yet mainstream media have remained dormant. For anyone following the Occupy Movement this should come as no great surprise – millions globally have taken a stand against what has been daubed the age of austerity and the silence from so-called ‘journalists’ has been deafening. In Christchurch a march has been planned for Saturday July 14th from 2pm. Meet at intersection of Deans Ave and Riccarton Road, to rally and march up Riccarton Road – ending at Shand Crescent park. Otautahi Solidarity Network will be there in support of the nationwide day of protest. There facebook event page can be found here: Stop the Theft

The Goal Posts Change Yet Again?! Home owners could have to pay as much as $115,000 up front for earthquake repairs because the Earthquake Commission has changed its payment rules. If you refuse to accept the EQR/Fletcher’s deal (putting you into the black hole of unreturned calls, endless red tape and uncertainty) you now have to put your money where your mouth is. The system before this latest announcement allowed home owners to get a quote from a builder, have it verified by EQC and the money would be put to the builder. Now the home owner is left to fend for themselves with no idea when the money may be reimbursed. Who has spare cash like that?!

“My mum is 80; she’s never going to get a mortgage for $50,000. Elderly people and most families can’t afford the repayments, and if they could, who’s going to pay the interest?”

Main said she had heard of poor workmanship from Fletchers and had a good repairer lined up to do the work.

“With Mum, I though it would be nice to get it sorted out in her lifetime. I don’t want to go to Fletchers and I’ve been mucked around by them before. I plan to battle the Government on this one.” Full story here.

Yet again it is the most vulnerable that have been thrown to the lions. Reaction to this latest development have been steeped in anger and disgust. Fresh protest and pickets are on the cards and O.S.N will be at the forefront of supporting individuals and communities prepared to take a stand. Our contact details can be found at the top of the blog page.

Many of the Otautahi Solidarity Network have been sharing their energies, resources and skills with the Occupy Christchurch movement – In solidarity with this rapidly emerging phenomena we’re posting their latest press release to help spread the word that this Monday’s proposed event is going to make history!!!

See you all there.

For Immediate Release: Friday 21st October

On the 15th October people around the World responded to the international call to occupy their cities in support of the one month (and counting) occupation of Wall Street, New York. The message is simple, the people have had enough of the power of corporations on our government’s and day to day lives. Our public spaces have become dominated by private interest, so the public are beginning to take our communities back. The New York occupation now has over 20,000 protesters and to date over 1900 cities Worldwide have Occupation Sites.

The Christchurch Occupation is today, one week old. Since our 300 strong march along Riccarton Rd on Saturday we have experimented and refined our decision making processes and delegated out roles. We have kept busy talking to the friendly passers by and holding General Assemblies each day. All decisions are based on direct democratic principles, ensuring everyone has a say and everyone is involved. The camp is immaculate, the atmosphere is a buzz with ideas and people are getting stuck in.

On Labour Day Occupy Christchurch has sent an open invite for all, to join us on a peaceful and respectful march around the CBD cordon. We wish to commemerate those that lost their lives, acknowledge those that continue to suffer both physically and emotionally in our city, and celebrate the day for workers. The march will begin at 11am, at Occupy Corner: South Hagley Park, near the bus exchange.

The issues closer to home are the issues that cities around the World also share. Our beaches are covered in oil, politicians are attacking workers rights while ignoring correct democratic processes. Twenty Nine miners remain in our soil, our public services are being stripped while early child care is being blamed for public debt. Here in Christchurch we have bared the brunt of a privatised rescue plan, where the biggest bidder gains the contracts, who in turn scrimp and save on the final product. The result, a community with no clearer idea for their future, CERA which has pushed aside our democratically elected body and private insurance companies that are bailed out in excess of a billion of our tax paid dollars. How much longer can we accept this attack on democracy and stand by while private pockets soak up the public wealth?

Occupy is not a formal group, most of us have met in recent days, our idea’s are as broad and diverse as our beautiful city, but we are united in our resolve to foster and create something new that is relevant to us all. While the top 1% of this country hold 16% of the countries wealth and one in five youth live in poverty, we will remain. We are the 99%. Join us.